1 Daniel fingered his medallion from baseball. He was proud of himself. The award was given to the child who exhibited the best sportsmanship that season. He put the medal into his pocket and headed off the field. He would miss baseball until next season.2 This was the first season he played, and it had started out rather bland. Absurd was almost more like it. The team didn't seem to know what they were doing, and Daniel was just learning himself. His coach, Mr. Douglas Keith, was a wonderful leader, though, and took painstaking efforts to teach them the fundamentals of the game.3 Coach Keith drilled them on the basics of fielding the ball and would reassure them when they missed it. He wanted them to give their best and pay complete attention, no matter what level of skill they each had. He never lost hope that the team could play well if they would keep the right attitude and try their best. Over time, that philosophy served the team well.